Like an unfolding scene in a Hollywood movie, half-naked women invaded the Saselamani Periodical court yard outside Malamulele, while baying for the blood of three suspects who appeared in connection with the kidnapping, rape and murder of a 12-year-old girl of Nkavele village.

A passerby discovered Ponani Mashaba’s body in the bushes between Nkavele and Xikunduville on Friday, 23 February. Three suspects had allegedly broken into the house, kidnapped, raped and strangled her while her father was at work. She was sleeping with her two siblings when the incident took place. Ponani was a Grade 4 learner at the local Hangalakani Primary School. After thorough investigations by the Mopani police, with the help of the local communities, three suspects were nabbed and they appeared at Saselamani Magistrate’s Court on Thursday last week.

Risimati David Chauke (21), Khazamula Meshack Macebele (21) and Akani Surprise Mashaba (18) were not asked to plead and Magistrate Noel Maluleke postponed their case to the 26th of this month (March) for further investigations, while the three will be in custody. The suspects looked relaxed but they seemed to be confused when they realized that the court was full of angry and concerned community members.

A huge group of concerned community members tried to gain entrance forcefully and police had to close the main gate to avoid more trouble. Saselamani police had to request backup from the Malamulele police, who came in large numbers to keep order while the court proceedings were taking place.

While the court proceedings were continuing, half-naked women demonstrated outside the court, demanding that the suspects should not be given bail.

The traditional leader of Nkavele village, where the gruesome murder took place, Hosi Elias Sambo, says he is still shocked by the incident. "This incident is the first of its kind to take place in my village. We are shocked, confused and very angry. Why kill such an innocent little girl for no reason? She was such a bright girl and we were still expecting much from her in future."

Sambo says the community will never take the law into their own hands. "We are law-abiding citizens and we are only waiting for the law to take its course. If found guilty, the suspect deserve to rot in jail because what they did is unacceptable."

A family member of the deceased girl, Florah Ndlovu (32), says the family is still struggling to come to terms with Ponani’s death. "The incident has really affected us but we put our trust in the court. We pray that the suspects will get long jail sentences although we know that we will not get our beloved Ponani back. It will take a long time before we come back to our senses because the brutal murder of our girl is unforgettable".